Bullwinkle’s, Grub Steak offering tasty deals

By Jill Kelley | Friday, March 19, 2010, 01:11 PM

Bullwinkle’s Top Hat Bistro in Miamisburg has been running some specials of note.

On Mondays, the restaurant has third-pound burgers for $1 to $3 (depending on toppings), with sides for just a buck more.

On Tuesdays, Bullwinkle’s has its 14-ounce New York Strip steak and baked potato for $15.99. That steak is usually $19.99.

And on Wednesdays, it is all-you-can-eat ribs night. You can get all the ribs your ribs can hold (if it should come to that) for $19.99, and that includes two sides. A full slab of ribs is usually $20.99 at Bullwinkle’s, but on Wednesdays there is no limit.

Bullwinkle’s is at 19 N. Main St. in Miamisburg. Call (937) 859-7677 for more info.

At Grub Steak in West Carrollton, the restaurant is offering two entrees for $22.22 in honor of its two-year anniversary at that location.

Patrons get a choice of three entrees.

Grub Steak is at 2098 S. Alex Road in West Carrollton. For more info, call (937) 276-4193.

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8-hour sale at Dell (ends at 4 p.m.)

By Jill Kelley | Friday, March 19, 2010, 10:55 AM

Topping its list of deals for today, March 19, DealHack noted that Dell was having an eight-hour sale on desktops and laptops, as well as electronics.

The sale is offering discounts of $20 to more than $400, with some $50 and $100 gift cards thrown in, on computers, TVs, smart phones, GPS units and more.

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Sites offer tax deductions, breaks, tips

By Jill Kelley | Friday, March 19, 2010, 10:49 AM

We have less than a month until taxes are due, so here are some of the many tax-filing tips from myriad corners of cyberspace that may help you save money as you are completing your forms:

From the Go Frugal Blog: 9 often overlooked medical deductions.

Tips on deducting commuting costs, info on IRA contributions and general tax tips from Smart Money.

Some tax coupons and discounts and tax changes you need to know from Wallet Pop.

Tax deductions not to miss from Suite 101 and the most overlooked tax deductions from Kiplinger.

Women Entrepreneur also had its list of deductions of note, and Bankrate (which offers a good list of tax info) had its 10 overlooked tax breaks.

The Wall Street Journal noted the $250 tax break for teachers (see that it was written at the end of 2009, and notes the need for receipts), MSN Money had its tax breaks for the rest of us, and USA Today had a good list of tax deductions added this year.

And, finally, there is a great general list of Tax Tips for 2010 from the IRS.

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50% off and more at Kohl’s, JCPenney today, Saturday

By Jill Kelley | Friday, March 19, 2010, 08:57 AM

Both Kohl’s and JCPenney start large two-day sales today, March 19 — in fact, Kohl’s is calling its sale “The Big One,” and JCPenney is referring to its offering as the “Huge Sale.”

Kohl’s has 50 percent off throughout the store, on clothes, athletic shoes for the family, sunglasses, makeup, items for the home (which also have some items for 60 percent off) and more.

Kohl’s also has its clearance items up to 80 percent off.

At JCPenney, the sale starts today, but the biggest savings are the doorbusters between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday.

The doorbusters include 60 percent off all guys shorts except Vans and Levi’s, 50 percent off men’s swimwear and shorts, 50 percent off all prom dresses, 55 percent off men’s suit separates, 50 percent off juniors’ dressy separates and 50 percent to 60 percent off all bath towels.

JCPenney also has its Instant Money promotion going on, with a coupon for $15 off purchases of $75 or more and $10 off purchases of $50 or more.

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Watch out for Census scam

By Jill Kelley | Thursday, March 18, 2010, 10:50 AM

Scammers are again trying to manipulate a well-intended program for their own benefit, and this time it concerns the U.S. Census.

According to Consumer Reports and CNN Money, there is a current scam that has people claiming (via e-mail, phone or in person) to be from the Census Bureau to get your personal information.

CR noted that the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C) is warning the public to beware.

It reminded consumers that the Census Bureau:

— Will not e-mail you.

— Will not ask for your full Social Security number.

— Will not ask for money or a donation.

— Will not send requests on behalf of a political party.

— And will not request PIN codes, passwords or similar access information for credit cards, banks or other financial accounts.

UPDATED: The Census Bureau noted what you should do when Census takers come to your door:

— First ask to see their ID. All census workers carry official government badges marked with just their name; they may also have a “U.S. Census Bureau” bag.

— Note that the Census taker will never ask to enter your home

— If you’re still not certain about their identity, please call the Regional Census Centers to confirm they are employed by the Census Bureau.

— Answer the census form questions for your entire household (you must be at least 15 years old to answer questions) so that the census taker can record the results for submission to the Census Bureau.

Also, as noted by CNN, if someone shows up at your door and either asks you for money to pay for the 2010 census, or they ask you for your Social Security number, don’t give them anything.

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DP&L honored for saving customers money, energy

By Jill Kelley | Thursday, March 18, 2010, 10:32 AM

The Dayton Power and Light Co. will receive an Energy Star Special Recognition Award today, March 18, for the lighting discounts and rebates it offered to customers in 2009.

Reportedly, the programs helped save about 115,000 megawatt hours, which could run 9,500 average homes for a year.

Among those energy-saving discounts and rebates in 2009 were:

— More than 1.5 million compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) sold.

— More than 1,750 appliances recycled.

— More than 1,550 home heating and cooling systems upgraded.

— More than $1.2 million for efficiency upgrades at area businesses.

For a complete list of rebates available to DP&L customers, visit the DP&L Web site.

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1.2 million high chairs recalled

By Jill Kelley | Thursday, March 18, 2010, 08:46 AM

It was announced this morning, March 18, that 1.2 million Graco Harmony high chairs have been recalled because they can tip over unexpectedly and cause injuries.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Graco has received 464 reports of screws loosening/falling out and/or plastic brackets cracking causing the high chair to tip over unexpectedly.

These tip-overs reportedly resulted in 24 injuries, including bumps and bruises to the head, a hairline fracture to the arm, and cuts, bumps, bruises and scratches to the body.

The high chairs were sold at AAFES, Burlington Coat Factory, Babies R Us, Toys R Us, Sears, Target, Target.com, Walmart, WalMart.com, Shopko, USA Baby, and other retailers nationwide from December 2003 through March 2010 for between $70 and $120.

Consumers should immediately stop using the Harmony high chair and contact Graco to receive a free repair kit.

Call Graco at (877) 842-3206 or visit www.gracobaby.com.

For additional information, contact Graco at (800) 345-4109.

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Shoe Carnival opening has prizes, deals

By Jill Kelley | Wednesday, March 17, 2010, 09:32 AM

There will be a grand opening celebration starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 20, at the new Shoe Carnival store in Beavercreek Towne Center, 2850 A Centre Drive, next to Kohl’s.

The first 100 customers on Saturday will receive a $10 reward card to use toward anything in the store, and events continue throughout the day, including:

— A 10 a.m. drawing for free shoes for a year

— An 11 a.m. drawing for $1,000 cash

— A drawing for a $100 Shoe Carnival shopping spree every hour from noon to 5 p.m.

— Doorbuster deals from 9 a.m. to noon

Other prizes and giveaways reportedly will continue through the weekend.

The store actually opened this week, if you want to get a sneak peek. For more information, call (937) 429-0358.

This is the second Shoe Carnival in the Dayton area. The first is at 5567 Salem Ave. in Dayton.

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What is the worst company in America?

By Jill Kelley | Wednesday, March 17, 2010, 08:56 AM

The Consumerist is a great site for calling out companies when they have gone astray.

By detailing and publicizing their miscues and repeated offenses, the many bloggers that compile the site let people know what to watch for and help keep companies honest.

The site also runs its own type of March Madness bracket each year (although it lasts longer than a month), which has people vote for the worst company in America. The nominated companies have to be those that regularly provide goods or services directly to consumers.

Last year, the “winner” was AIG, and the year before it was Bank of America (Countrywide).

If you want to take part, e-mail your nomination to WCIA@consumerist.com.

There is a limit of one nomination per e-mail address, so make it count. You can include a paragraph description in your e-mail as well.

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Free wings for everyone if a tourney player scores more than 30

By Jill Kelley | Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 05:43 PM

Barleycorn’s is offering the coolest NCAA tournament deal (or, potential deal) that I have seen yet.

The Sugarcreek Twp. restaurant said it will buy everyone in the house six free wings if any NCAA tournament player scores more than 30 points during a televised NCAA tournament game.

There will be multiple games on multiple TVs during the tournament, which starts Thursday, March 18.

Also from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Barleycorn’s, there will be food and drink specials all day.

Boneless boneless wings will be $6.95, pitchers of Miller Lite are $5.50, and there will be a $12.99 prime rib special.

To reserve a table, call (937) 848-6999.

The restaurant is at 6204 Wilmington Pike.

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